A vibrant city transformed by light art installations, animated projection mapping, drone shows, live music, and street food—Cincinnati during BLINK is nothing short of extraordinary. Over four nights, from October 17-20, 2024, hundreds of thousands came together across the city and into Northern Kentucky, experiencing an expansive celebration of art, culture, and community.
Chadd Scott, a journalist hosted by Visit Cincy, meetNKY, and Cincinnati Experience, described the city’s biennial BLINK event in a recent Forbes article entitled 'BLINK', But Don't Sleep On The Art Scene in Cincinnati, highlighting the sense of unity BLINK fosters:
"Making BLINK most remarkable, however, were not the drone shows and installations–although they are remarkable–it was the community. A big, open community, absent the insular tribalism common across the nation. It seemed like everyone was there. A showcase for the city, and of the city." Scott’s observations capture how Cincinnati has evolved into a public art destination that welcomes all ages and backgrounds.
Reflecting on the power of art to draw people together, Scott noted, “The power of art and the power of cities in bringing people together is on full display in Cincinnati.” His article also takes readers beyond BLINK to explore Cincinnati’s year-round arts scene, including the large-scale murals curated by ArtWorks and the FotoFocus Biennial, the nation’s largest lens-based art event.
Cincinnati’s public art offerings extend well beyond BLINK. ArtWorks’ mural program showcases an extensive collection of large-scale works, while FotoFocus brings photography exhibitions to museums, galleries, and public spaces across Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Scott further calls attention to the Cincinnati Art Museum’s exhibit of Ansel Adams’ photography and the Contemporary Arts Center’s exploration of life on the Diné reservation through Chip Thomas’s lens. Together, these events affirm Cincinnati’s growing reputation as an arts and culture capital.
Visit Cincy and meetNKY, in partnership with Cincinnati Experience, hosted this journalist, and others like him, who bring Cincinnati’s story to life for diverse audiences. These collaborations underscore the commitment to sharing our vibrant culture on national platforms, enriching the city’s story with each publication.
For the full experience of Scott’s journey through Cincinnati’s art scene, read his Forbes article here.
